England name squad for Women’s World Cup

High profile names in the world of royalty, sport and media announced England’s 23-woman squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Captain Steph Houghton was the first person to be told she would be going to the World Cup in France with Prince William breaking the good news. Two Arsenal players named in the squad, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, were told by fellow Gunners Kelly Smith and Ian Wright that they would be competing in France.

Other famous fans to tell a player they would be in Phil Neville’s squad included Alex Scott, David Beckham, Raheem Sterling and Katrina Johnson-Thompson.

Speaking about the squad announcement, England boss Phil Neville said:

“We wanted each player to have a special moment when their name was revealed, knowing they are going to a World Cup,

“It is the biggest thing in their lives and something they’ve dreamed about.

“We have to make these players visible, we want everybody around the world to buy into what will be the biggest Women’s World Cup of all time.”

The decision not to include Izzy Christiansen is a sensible one given that she damaged her ankle ligaments in March. It was likely seen as too much of a risk to include her. The squad that Neville selected is more or less what was expected and all of these players will be hungry to bring the World Cup home and improve on their third-place finish from Canada 2015.

Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Abbie McManus, Leah Williamson, Demi Stokes, Rachel Daly, Lucy Staniforth, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Nikita Parris and Beth Mead will all travel to their first World Cup.

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Man City), Mary Earps (Wolfsburg), Carly Telford (Chelsea)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Man Utd), Steph Houghton (captain, Man City), Abbie McManus (Man City), Demi Stokes (Man City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Jade Moore (Reading), Jill Scott (Man City), Lucy Staniforth (Birmingham City), Georgia Stanway (Man City), Keira Walsh (Man City)

Forwards: Toni Duggan (Barcelona) Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Man City), Jodie Taylor (Seattle Reign), Ellen White (Birmingham City)